Public Hearing On Proposals Set For July 8; Townwide Vote May Happen In Fall

MANCHESTER — The board of directors on Thursday took another big step toward a fall referendum on the proposed modernization and consolidation of the school system.

The directors unanimously approved resolutions authorizing the school board to seek state reimbursement for creating a fifth- and sixth-grade school combining the vacant Cheney Building with Bennet Academy, as well as and "like new" renovations and additions at Waddell and Verplanck elementary schools.

A public hearing on the proposal is set for July 8. The spending package to be discussed at the hearing also includes $2.4 million for school security upgrades and $3 million for various, unspecified improvements to school buildings.

Directors could vote after the hearing to approve a spending question for a November referendum.

The total cost of proposals to be discussed at the public hearing is about $86.2 million, General Manager Scott Shanley said. With state reimbursement, local taxpayers would pay about $40 million, he said.

The board began its special meeting Thursday by comparing the cost of building a new Verplanck School against the cost of "like new" renovations and additions.

Building a new school on the Olcott Street site would cost about $44.6 million; after state reimbursement, the cost to Manchester taxpayers would be about $21.3 million.

Renovations to the existing building and the addition of six classrooms and more space in the cafeteria and administrative section would cost about $29 million. Manchester would be responsible for about $10.4 million.

The fifth- and sixth-grade school would cost about $17.9 million, with Manchester paying about $7.2 million. Renovations and additions at Waddell would cost about $33.6 million; Manchester would pay $20.3 million.

The expanded Verplanck and Waddell schools would accommodate 530 students each. With more students in kindergarten through fourth grade attending those schools and all fifth-graders moved out of the elementary system, the school board's plan is to close Washington and Robertson elementary schools.

The second phase of the overall modernization proposal calls for the renovations of four other elementary schools. The costs of that work, however, would not be part of a referendum this year.

Discussions on long-term school building improvements began early in 2012 with the formation of the School Modernization and Reinvestment Team Revisited (SMARTR). The panel of school and town leaders and citizens was formed in response to a school district report that listed more than $20 million in needed repairs to school buildings.

The current proposal is meant to address needed repairs and updates, meet state mandates on racial balancing, accommodate growing enrollment, place all students in modern facilities and maximize state reimbursement for construction and renovation.